Three Killed, 21 Injured in Stampede During Cash Disbursement in Borno

Tragedy Strikes During Humanitarian Cash Distribution

A tragic stampede during a cash disbursement program in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State has left three people dead and 21 others injured, according to reports from counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.

Details of the Incident

The humanitarian exercise, organized by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), turned deadly on Thursday morning at approximately 8am. The stampede occurred at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated payment centers in the area.

Beneficiaries had gathered to receive flat-rate cash assistance of ₦28,500 when the crowd became uncontrollable. Witnesses reported a sudden surge toward the school gate that resulted in the deadly stampede.

Casualties and Response

Among the injured were Falmata Modu, Tella Tujani, Bulama Yakime, and several others who sustained varying degrees of injuries. The deceased included 60-year-old Bukar Labddo from Bukar Tela ward, who was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Two other victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment.

Security operatives were quickly deployed to restore order to the area. The bodies of the deceased have been released to their families for burial according to Islamic rites.

Humanitarian Context

Borno State has been at the epicenter of Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis following years of insurgency. Cash assistance programs have become a critical lifeline for displaced populations and vulnerable communities in the region.

This tragic incident highlights the challenges of implementing humanitarian interventions in high-need areas and raises questions about crowd control measures during distribution exercises.

Credit: Full credit to the original publisher: NigerianEye